PDF AIR QUALITY - Tasman District

(1)

AIR QUALITY

WHY IS GOOD AIR QUALITY IMPORTANT?

Good air quality is important for people’s health and well-being. National and international data shows high concentrations of fine particles (PM10) in the air we breathe can increase mortality rates, aggravate respiratory illnesses such as asthma, and result in reduced activity (people work less because of illness or having to care for ill people).

What can you do about it?

• Use dry wood from a Good Wood supplier

• Don’t damp your fire down

• Burn only paper rubbish (no plastic or rubber)

• Spread the word to others

• Check your chimney – is it smokey?

As 84% of all fine particle (PM10) pollution is calculated to be caused by domestic home heating emissions (e.g.

log burners) there is a lot you can do if you operate such an appliance.

For a full report on Air Quality see the Council website: www.tasman.govt.

nz click on “Environment”

pages, then click “Air” or use the following link:

http://www.tasman.govt.

nz/index.php?Air

Number of days each year when the national standard was breached and the maximum concentration from 2020 (maximum when allowing for one exceedence). The standard only allows for one day have PM10 concentrations greater than 50 μg/m3.

Richmond on a smoggy morning in June 2007

Ambient air quality in Richmond has exceeded the National Air Quality Standard every winter since monitoring began in 2000. The 24 hour average standard for fine particles in the air (PM10) is 50 μg/m³ and Richmond has until 2016 to reduce the number of exceedences to no greater than three per year.

All exceedences in Richmond have occurred during winter, May to August. The highest recorded maximum concentration (115 μg/

m³) occurred in 2006. The annual average also exceeded guidelines but only by a small

amount. The trend in PM10 concentrations, or in the number and magnitude of exceedences is improving, with a 30% improvement between 2006-2009 inclusive. The reduction in polluting discharges from domestic fireplaces has reduced by a similar amount. Any trends in PM10 will be confirmed in 2009 when enough data from the continuous monitoring equipment, installed in 2005, has been gathered.

Air quality in other towns such as Motueka and Wakefield appears to be meeting the 24-hour PM10 standard.

What is the state of air quality in Tasman?

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

May Jun Jul Aug

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

96-10 av 2011 PM10 24 hr

Sep

Richmond Air Temperature , Historical (1996-2010) vs. Current (2011) vs PM¹⁰ 24 hr

Temperature (Deg C) PM10 24 hour average

111

81 97

78 95

78

74 76

66 69

0 10 20 30 40 50

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Number of exceedences 2nd highest value Number of 24-hr PM10 Exceedences

Number of Exceedences and 2^nd Highest 24-hour PM10 for Richmond Central

2000 2001 2nd Highest 24-hr PM10

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

(2)

USEFUL

INFORMATION

The highest air pollution occurs in the morning and evening which coincides with people lighting their fires. Air pollution generally increases dramatically from 5.00 pm - 6.00 pm to about 8.00 pm, falls slightly then rises again from 10.00 pm - 11.30 pm, most probably as a result of people damping down their fires for the night.

Look at www.tasman.govt.nz on a cold day in winter to see this pattern as it happens.

Investigations show that the primary cause of poor air quality is the burning of solid fuels in domestic appliances. About 89 percent of PM10 comes from this source based on 2010 emissions Inventory. Daily variations of PM10

concentrations are typical of those in an air-shed dominated by wood smoke with peak levels in the evening (typically 6.00 pm - 10.00 pm) and smaller peaks in the morning (around 9.00 am).

About 9 percent is calculated to come from traffic and 2 percent from industry sources.

Richmond air temperature winter 2011 (in pink) compared to historical air temperatures compared to 24 hour average PM10 .

• Introducing higher thresholds for industrial emissions of PM10 in Richmond. Any applications for new sources of PM10 may be declined.

• Burning of agrichemical containers will be banned where a product stewardship programme is in place.

• Educational programmes will be stepped up with a focus on how to reduce smoke emissions from appliances.

• New rules were implemented in January 2007 in an effort to reduce air pollution in Richmond. The new rules cover the installation of small-scale (domestic) solid fuel appliances in Richmond:

1. No new appliances will be allowed to be installed in Richmond unless to replace an existing burner.

2. Existing burners and open fires will be permitted to be replaced, but only with an appliance that meets minimum standards for PM10 emissions.

3. New regulations prohibit the discharge of any smoke from a non-compliant appliance once a house has changed ownership.

In other towns in Tasman District, new solid fuel appliance will be required to meet minimum standards for emissions of PM10. The Council does not have any new regulations for the rural areas of the District, except for a requirement that people operate wood burners without causing a nuisance for their neighbours.

What is Council doing about it?

7944 Dry Crust Communications

Basic steps to remember When lighting a fire, make

sure you:

• Use enough kindling

• Don’t put too much firewood in at first

• Stack wood loosely in the firebox so air can circulate

• Never use wet or green wood.

Once alight, make sure you:

• Keep the fire burning brightly

• Keep the air control open for at least 30 minutes

• Burn smaller logs rather than trying to burn a single, large log

• If you add logs, open up the air control to high for at least 20-30 minutes before turning down

• Be careful not to block air supply to the base of the fire with a badly positioned log

• Don’t damp down the fire

• Don’t burn rubbish in the fire.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Resource Scientist Environment Quality Ph. 03 543 8400 or visit www.tdc.govt.nz August 2011